'''Lawrence County, Pennsylvania''' genealogy and family history research page. Guide to genealogy, history, and courthouse sources including birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, wills, deeds and land records, Civil War records, Revolutionary War records, family histories, cemeteries, churches, tax records, newspapers, and obituaries.

*'''Parent Counties''': Formed from [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Beaver]] and [[Mercer County, Pennsylvania|Mercer]] Counties 20 March 1849. <ref name="HBG">[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results ''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.''] (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].</ref>

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*'''Parent Counties''': Formed from [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Beaver]] and [[Mercer County, Pennsylvania|Mercer]] Counties 20 March 1849. <ref name="HBG">[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092 ''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.''] (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].</ref>

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*'''County Seat:''' New Castle<br>

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*'''County Seat:''' New Castle<br>

*'''Neighboring Counties''': {{PAGENAME}}&nbsp;'''residents''' may also have records in <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Adams County, Pennsylvania" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams_County,_Pennsylvania (accessed 17 July 2012).</ref>[[Mercer County, Pennsylvania|Mercer]] (north){{•}}[[Butler County, Pennsylvania|Butler]] (east){{•}}[[Columbiana County, Ohio|Columbiana County, Ohio]] (southwest){{•}}[[Mahoning County, Ohio|Mahoning County, Ohio]] (west) {{•}} [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] (south)

*'''Neighboring Counties''': {{PAGENAME}}&nbsp;'''residents''' may also have records in <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Adams County, Pennsylvania" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams_County,_Pennsylvania (accessed 17 July 2012).</ref>[[Mercer County, Pennsylvania|Mercer]] (north){{•}}[[Butler County, Pennsylvania|Butler]] (east){{•}}[[Columbiana County, Ohio|Columbiana County, Ohio]] (southwest){{•}}[[Mahoning County, Ohio|Mahoning County, Ohio]] (west) {{•}} [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] (south)

<br>Named for the USS Lawrence, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

<br>Named for the USS Lawrence, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

:*[http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1908/ ''20th Century History of new Castle and Lawrence County Pennsvyvania and Representative Citizens'',] courtesy [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/ USGenWeb Archives]

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:*[http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1908/ ''20th Century History of new Castle and Lawrence County Pennsvyvania and Representative Citizens'',] courtesy [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/ USGenWeb Archives]

<br> Lists of founding members of the early church congregations in Lawrence County are listed in ''History of Lawrence County''. Church histories are located under the township histories. {{WorldCat|5123388}} {{FHL|item|17289|disp=FHL book 974.893 H2he}} <ref> S.W. and P.A. Durant, ''History of Lawrence County'' (Phildelphia: L.H. Everts and Co., 1877) </ref>

Baptist congregations in New Castle were first established in 1843. By 1877 there were 5 congregations in New Castle.

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===== Catholic =====

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Catholic priests visited Lawrence County until St. Mary's was erected in New Castle in 1852.

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===== Episcopal =====

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The first Episcopalian services were held in New Castle in 1843.

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===== Lutheran =====

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The first Lutheran church was established in New Castle in 1848. Other congregations organized in New Castle, including a Swedish Lutheran Zion church.

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===== Methodist =====

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Congregations were established in New Castle (1836) Mahoningtown (1850).

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===== Methodist Episcopal =====

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The first Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1816 in New Castle. This congregation had been meeting since 1804. Other congregations were established in Wilmington, Wampum, Pulaski, Mahoning, Eon, Hickory, Mount Jackson, Clinton, and other communities.

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===== Moravian =====

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The Moravians established a mission in Lawrence County in 1755, but moved to Tuscarawas Valley, Ohio, by 1773.

===== Presbyterian =====

===== Presbyterian =====

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Earliest congregations were formed in Hopewell and Nashannock (1800), followed by New Castle (also called Lower Neshannock) and Westfield (1803). &nbsp;Other congregations included Pulaski, Mahoningtown, Darlington, Little Beaver, Enon, Newport Village, and Westfield, among others in the county.&nbsp;

:*[http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=24867 A History of the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania: together with some account of the settlement] at [http://www.ancestry.com Ancestry.com] – $

:*[http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=24867 A History of the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania: together with some account of the settlement] at [http://www.ancestry.com Ancestry.com] – $

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===== United Presbyterian (Seceder or Associate Reformed) =====

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An early congregation was formed in Deer Creek (1800), Mahoning (1800) and New Castle (1808). Other congregations were established in Wampum, Beacon Valley, New Wilmington, and Hickory.

==== Court Records ====

==== Court Records ====

Line 168:

Line 212:

The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters. The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60 judicial districts. {{PAGENAME}} County has its own judicial district. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.<ref>The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania http://www.pacourts.us/T/CommonPleas/ accessed 10 July 2012.</ref>

The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters. The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60 judicial districts. {{PAGENAME}} County has its own judicial district. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.<ref>The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania http://www.pacourts.us/T/CommonPleas/ accessed 10 July 2012.</ref>

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====== Clerk of the Court ======

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===== Clerk of the Court =====

{{PA court2}}

{{PA court2}}

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====== Prothonotary ======

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===== Prothonotary =====

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{{PA court3}}<br>

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{{PA court3}}<br>

The public can access these records in person, but all genealogical searches (i.e. Naturalization, Family Tree, Etc.) are processed only via regular mail. Search fee is $12.00. Please send all pertinent information along with self-addressed , stamped envelope to:

The public can access these records in person, but all genealogical searches (i.e. Naturalization, Family Tree, Etc.) are processed only via regular mail. Search fee is $12.00. Please send all pertinent information along with self-addressed , stamped envelope to:

*20th century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens, 1908. [http://www.archive.org/details/20thcenturyhisto00haze Book on line] at archives.org, [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1908/ Text version] from the USGenWeb Archives.

*20th century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens, 1908. [http://www.archive.org/details/20thcenturyhisto00haze Book on line] at archives.org, [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1908/ Text version] from the USGenWeb Archives.

*Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania, 1897. [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/ Text Version] from the USGenWeb Archives.

*Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania, 1897. [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/ Text Version] from the USGenWeb Archives.

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*History of Lawrence County Pennsylvania by S.W. and P.A. Durant, 1877.&nbsp; [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1877/ Text Version] from the USGenWeb Archives.<br>

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*History of Lawrence County Pennsylvania by S.W. and P.A. Durant, 1877.&nbsp; [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1877/ Text Version] from the USGenWeb Archives.<br>

*History of Lawrence County Pennsylvania, 1887.&nbsp; [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1887/ Text Version] from the USGenWeb Archives.

*History of Lawrence County Pennsylvania, 1887.&nbsp; [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1887/ Text Version] from the USGenWeb Archives.

[http://ancestortracks.com/ Ancestor Tracks] has posted free downloadable images from the [http://ancestortracks.com/Lawrence_Co_Warrantees.html 1908 Warrantee Atlas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania]. &nbsp;This atlas located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. &nbsp;While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used commercially. &nbsp;We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.

[http://ancestortracks.com/ Ancestor Tracks] has posted free downloadable images from the [http://ancestortracks.com/Lawrence_Co_Warrantees.html 1908 Warrantee Atlas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania]. &nbsp;This atlas located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. &nbsp;While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used commercially. &nbsp;We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.

Naturalization records for Lawrence County, Pennsylvania include the following:<br>

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'''Online Naturalization Indexes and Records'''<br>

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:*'''1820-1906''' – [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 Index to Declarations and Petitions in the Western District of Pennsylvania, US Circuit and District Courts] located in ''US Naturalization Records Indexes, 1794-1995'' database on [http://ancestry.com Ancestry.com] - ($), National Archives publication M1208<br>

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:*'''1820-1930''' – [http://www.fold3.com/titleinfo.php?id=119&title=naturalizations_pa_western%2F&xid=319 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania] on [http://www.fold3.com/ Fold3.com] - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537, incomplete for all counties<br>

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:*'''1820-1930''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1554 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania] located in ''Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974'' database on [http://ancestry.com Ancestry.com] - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537<br>

Original probate records for some Pennsylvania counties are available free online as digital images at [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org]. The dates vary significantly for each county and not all counties are listed. Some counties may only have probate indexes. This Pennsylvania collection of images may be browsed through the links listed below:<br>

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Original probate records for some Pennsylvania counties are available free online as digital images at [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org]. The dates vary significantly for each county and not all counties are listed. Some counties may only have probate indexes. This Pennsylvania collection of images may be browsed through the links listed below:<br>

The library's collection includes local family histories, Pennsylvania county history books, census, newspapers and a local marriage and obituary database taken from the ''New Castle News.'' The library will do limited research for a fee.

:*'''1725-1976''' - {{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940}} - free index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.

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:*'''1725-1976''' - {{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940}} - free index. Not complete for all years.

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:*'''Pre-1810''' – Pennsylvania Marriages [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2098 Ancestry.com] – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.

:*'''Pre-1810''' – Pennsylvania Marriages [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2098 Ancestry.com] – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.

Revision as of 22:55, 15 May 2013

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania genealogy and family history research page. Guide to genealogy, history, and courthouse sources including birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, wills, deeds and land records, Civil War records, Revolutionary War records, family histories, cemeteries, churches, tax records, newspapers, and obituaries.

Census

There are no county or state census records available for Pennsylvania. County and city tax records can be used as a substitute when census records are not available.

Church Records

Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. In Pennsylvania, church records are often used as a substitute for birth, marriage, and death information. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, view the Pennsylvania Church Records wiki page.

Finding Church Records at Other Repositories

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Church Records in online catalogs like:

Lists of founding members of the early church congregations in Lawrence County are listed in History of Lawrence County. Church histories are located under the township histories. WorldCat 5123388FHL book 974.893 H2he[3]

Baptist

Baptist congregations in New Castle were first established in 1843. By 1877 there were 5 congregations in New Castle.

Catholic

Catholic priests visited Lawrence County until St. Mary's was erected in New Castle in 1852.

Episcopal

The first Episcopalian services were held in New Castle in 1843.

Lutheran

The first Lutheran church was established in New Castle in 1848. Other congregations organized in New Castle, including a Swedish Lutheran Zion church.

Methodist

Congregations were established in New Castle (1836) Mahoningtown (1850).

Methodist Episcopal

The first Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1816 in New Castle. This congregation had been meeting since 1804. Other congregations were established in Wilmington, Wampum, Pulaski, Mahoning, Eon, Hickory, Mount Jackson, Clinton, and other communities.

Moravian

The Moravians established a mission in Lawrence County in 1755, but moved to Tuscarawas Valley, Ohio, by 1773.

Presbyterian

Earliest congregations were formed in Hopewell and Nashannock (1800), followed by New Castle (also called Lower Neshannock) and Westfield (1803). Other congregations included Pulaski, Mahoningtown, Darlington, Little Beaver, Enon, Newport Village, and Westfield, among others in the county.

United Presbyterian (Seceder or Associate Reformed)

An early congregation was formed in Deer Creek (1800), Mahoning (1800) and New Castle (1808). Other congregations were established in Wampum, Beacon Valley, New Wilmington, and Hickory.

Court Records

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy court records are housed at the Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Courthouse. For many counties copies of court records may be found at the Pennsylvania State Archives and in the FamilySearch collection. Note that within these collections some films may contain the same records, but have different titles. Other titles are not duplicates. See Finding Court Records at other repositories within this section for links to the online catalogs for these two collections. Films at the Pennsylvania State Archives are not available for inter-library loan. If court records are available FamilySearch films may be ordered at a local Family History Center.

Court of Common Pleas

The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters. The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60 judicial districts. Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy County has its own judicial district. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.[4]

Clerk of the Court

The Clerk of Courts prepares and maintains the records for the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk signs and affixes the Seal of the Courts to all writs and processes, administers oaths and affirmations, and assumes custody of the seal and records of the Courts. The Clerk certifies and distributes orders of the Court. The Clerk also certifies and prepares bills of costs for the defendants and utilizes the computerized financial management system to disburse fines, costs and restitution.[5] For the Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Clerk of Courts address see the Courthouse section on this page.

Prothonotary

The office of the Prothontary is the custodian of all civil matters in the county. This includes naturalization, immigration, equity actions, judgements, federal and local tax leins, city liens, family court, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, appeals to higher court, commercial code filings, applications for passports and divorce proceedings. See the Courthouse section on this page for the Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Prothonotary office information.

The public can access these records in person, but all genealogical searches (i.e. Naturalization, Family Tree, Etc.) are processed only via regular mail. Search fee is $12.00. Please send all pertinent information along with self-addressed , stamped envelope to:

Prothonotary430 Court StreetNew Castle, PA. 16101

Orphans' Court

See Vital Records The Orphans' Court is responsible for a wide range of matters. The name of the Court is derived from the more general definition of "orphan," that being a person or thing that is without protective affiliation or sponsorship. This would include those not capable of handling their own affairs, minors, incapacitated persons, decedents estates, nonprofit corporations and trusts. It is the role of the Court to ensure that the best interests of the person or entity are not compromised.

It is believed the name of this court was borrowed from the Court of Orphans of the city of London, England which had the care and guardianship of children of deceased citizens, in their minority.[6]

For Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Orphans' Court contact information see the Courthouse section on this page.

Land and Property

Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, and maps. Property records include liens as well as livestock brands and estray records.

The following are examples of available resources:

Online Land Records

1979–present The Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds office offers online access to land records through Record Fusion. The online indexes are free but fees apply for copies.

Maps

Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the 1908 Warrantee Atlas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. This atlas located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.

Migration

Military

Naturalization and Citizenship

Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. See Pennsylvania Naturalization for more information about the types of records and availability.

Naturalizations granted at the county level were kept by the office of the Prothonotary. Naturalizations could also be granted on the Federal Court level.

Naturalization records for Lawrence County, Pennsylvania include the following:

Obituaries

Occupations

Indentured Servants

Periodicals

Poorhouse, Almshouse

Probate Records

Probate matters in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created. To obtain original probate records, contact the Orphan's Court in the County Courthouse.

In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates of decedents, incompetents, and minors; appointment and control of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills involving probate matters; inheritance tax appeals and various petitions and motions.

Online Probate Records

Original probate records for some Pennsylvania counties are available free online as digital images at FamilySearch.org. The dates vary significantly for each county and not all counties are listed. Some counties may only have probate indexes. This Pennsylvania collection of images may be browsed through the links listed below:

Repositories

Archives

The Pennsylvania Archivescollection contains county archive records that can be searched onsite. Currently the Archives' staff cannot provide research or make copies of these records. Their collections include Almshouse Registers; Tax records; Birth, Death and Marriage Indexes and Records; Midwife records; African American records; Wills; Deeds; Naturalizations; Coroner's inquests; and Orphan's Court dockets. A list of the Archive's county holdings are on Microfilm or Manuscript form.

Libraries

The library's collection includes local family histories, Pennsylvania county history books, census, newspapers and a local marriage and obituary database taken from the New Castle News. The library will do limited research for a fee.

Societies

The research room collection includes Lawrence County Will Books, Immigration Records, Marriage Records, Deeds, County History, Maps, City Directories, Yearbooks. Onsite research help is available.

Taxation

Vital Records

Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. While the records for that time period are available, there were few events recorded. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. Abstracts and copies of vital records are available for some counties, but most are incomplete. For the most complete set of records, always contact the County Orphans' Court.

Birth

Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. See the heading Court Records on this page for contact information.

Indexes for Pennsylvania birth records are available through the Department of of Health for 1906 and 1907. Once an individual is located in the index a non certified Birth certificate can be obtained by writing and sending $3.00 to:

1725-1976 - Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 - free index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.

Pre-1810 – Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.

1885-1950 - Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 Extracted marriage records – free. Most of the records consist of marriage licenses, certificates, applications, docket books, and affidavits. This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.

Divorce

Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the courthouse building.

Death

Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. See the heading Court Records on this page for contact information.

Indexes for Pennsylvania death records are available through the Department of Health for 1906 through 1962. Once an individual is located in the index a non certified death certificate can be obtained obtained by writing and sending $3.00 to: